About Dolly Parton
Multi-award winning country music legend Dolly Parton boasts numerous talents including singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress, author, humanitarian and businesswoman.
The American songwriter wrote tracks for many other artists prior to releasing her debut album Hello, I’m Dolly in 1967, and has since sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
Throughout the 1960’s she cemented herself as a chart mainstay, releasing several albums, alongside a series of duet albums with Porter Wagoner. Her successes continued into the 1970’s and 80’s. She has continued to release albums, and in 2007 she launched her own record label, Dolly Records.
Parton and her music have amassed 50 Grammy Awards nominations, winning 11, including the Lifetime Achievement Award; plus ten Country Music Association Awards; five Academy of Country Music Awards; four People's Choice Awards; and three American Music Awards. In 1999, Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In addition, she has won numerous Recording Industry Association of America certifications, including gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards. She has broken numerous records, including having 25 songs reach no. 1 on the Billboard country music charts - the record for a female artist - and an accolade she shares with fellow American country star, Reba McEntire. Dolly has also racked up over 40 Top 10 country albums, a record for any artist.
As a composer, she’s written thousands of songs including 9-to-5, Two Doors Down, Coat of Many Colours, Islands In The Stream and I Will Always Love You - which after being a success for Dolly, also became a global hit for Whitney Houston. Parton wrote I Will Always Love You and Jolene on the same day.
As an actress, she starred in the films 9 to 5 (1980) and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), both of which earned her Golden Globe nominations. She also starred in Rhinestone (1984), Steel Magnolias (1989) and more throughout the 80’s.
She has done voice work for numerous television series, playing herself in episodes of Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Simpsons. She also has guest-starred in numerous sitcoms, including Designing Women, Reba, Bette, Babes, and children's cartoon, The Magic School Bus. In addition, she made several cameo appearances on the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana as ‘Aunt Dolly’.
Most recently, the biographical documentary Here I Am (2019) was added to the streaming service, Netflix. A co-production by Netflix and the BBC, the film uses archive footage and exclusive interviews to chart her life and music in detail.
Business ventures and charity work
Parton is a co-owner of The Dollywood Company, which operates the theme park, Dollywood, Dolly Parton's Stampede, Dollywood's Splash Country (a waterpark), and the Dream More Resort and Spa, all located in Pigeon Forge, East Tennessee. Dollywood is the 24th-most-popular theme park in the United States.
She has also been vocal and supported many charitable efforts throughout her career including PETA, The American Red Cross and more. Most notably, her literacy program, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library - which forms part of her Dollywood Foundation - mails one book per month to each enrolled child from the time of their birth until they enter kindergarten.
In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Parton donated $1 million towards vaccine research. Furthermore, in March 2021, when Parton was vaccinated against the virus at Vanderbilt University (where she made her donation), she encouraged others to get vaccinated with an adapted rendition of her hit song Jolene. Lines from the alternative version included; Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine. I'm begging you please don't hesitate. Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine. 'Cos once you're dead, then that's a bit too late.
Listen to Dolly Parton on Spotify:
FAQs
Where can I buy Dolly Parton tickets?
When available, tickets can be found and purchased at Eventim.com.
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